Antique French Desk

I can’t believe it has been over a week since I posted last! I’m still here.. still alive and kickin’!

I want to thank everyone who has commented and shared their stories on my post about anxiety. I can’t begin to explain how much it meant to me that you cared enough to share what you went through or left me encouraging words! You are the best!!

I’m still recovering, but feeling so much better day by day. In the mean time, I’ve been working on projects a little each day when I’m feeling well.

You may remember that a while back, I started a series of posts about my office makeover. If not, you can catch up on part 1, part 2, and part 3 by clicking each one.

Here is the before shot of my office:

Since I wanted the desk to be in the center of the room, I knew it had to be something wonderful.

I envisioned my dream desk with a French flare. Something petite and elegant.

Then, last week, while searching on Craigslist, I came across it…

… my dream desk.

LOVE!

I couldn’t wait to go pick it up! The only problem… my husband was out of town.

I asked the man selling it if he could hold it for me until Friday. He said no and that he would sell it to whoever showed up with cash first!

I was so upset. It was Wednesday. What were the odds that this lovely desk wouldn’t be picked up by then?

Frantic, I told him I’d drive there to pick it up that day!

Then, just before leaving the house, I decided I couldn’t do it. It just didn’t feel safe.

But as always, God had it all figured out. My table ended up selling that day!

Luckily, the next day, not only was the desk still available, but my mom agreed to tag along with me to pick it up.

It was in pretty rough shape, but I knew it could be beautiful once it was painted.

The first thing I did was sand down the top.

Once it was sanded, I painted everything else in Annie Sloan’s Old White.

I stained the top with Minwax’s Dark Walnut and added several coats of Polyurethane.

I spray painted the hardware with Rubbed Bronze.

I wanted the details of the desk to stand out, so I sanded around the edges of each and every detail.

I don’t think it even looks like the same desk!

And finally, the much awaited after shot:

I finally feel like I have my dream desk and my office is complete… well, almost..

My name is Claire and I am behind the blog... The Rustic Pig. I am a wife, a mother to 2 boys, and I just might be addicted to Craigslist. I love to buy antiques, paint them, and give them a chance to be loved again! Please feel free to pull up a chair and stay for a while. If you ask a question or leave a comment, I will be sure to get back to you as soon as possible!

Comments

WOW!! The detail on the top is beautiful Claire.Surely a dream desk if I ever saw one. Glad it was still available for you.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Hugs, GeeGee recently posted…Dining room getting it’s Spring look.

I am so glad that you are dong better, Claire. Life is really a journey that takes us down many different paths, isn’t it?
I love your redo of that desk. It looks FANTASTIC…completely different from what you started with- xo DianaNana Diana recently posted…SweetCheeks And The Birds And The Bees

Love it too! You have given me inspiration to refinish our dining room table soon when we move. Did you make your office curtains? Can you show us an up close of the top and hardware? I want that look for our dining room and front room.
Thanks!

Oh my gosh…your desk is absolutely BEAUTIFUL! In fact, the whole office is gorgeous! What a happy place to work! I must of missed something ’cause I didn’t know you weren’t feeling well. So glad you are doing better and hope it continues as you lean on God’s strength. Blessings ~ JudyVintage Street Designs recently posted…Hand Painted Vintage Wash Stand

Don’t you hate it when you find the perfect piece on Craigslist but the timing couldn’t be worse! I know the feeling, but I’m so happy that it all worked out for you. Your new desk looks really great in its new home and I love what you did with it. Your right, doesn’t even look like the same desk. Great job! Hugs!!Clydia @ Three Mango Seeds recently posted…MY FIRST REUPHOLSTERING PROJECT & THE HGTV FABRIC LINE!

Wow…what a wonderful find for you…so happy you finally found what your heart was set on. Makes your office looks so beautiful. I like what you did to the top and the paint you used on the rest of the desk. You are right about GOD…He works those things out for us no matter what the circumstances may be. I’m going to look back at the other post you mentioned about the beginning of re-doing your office. You are so blessed to have a room like that. I live in a little dinky trailer…but now thanks be to GOD I may be able to look for a more suitable place to live. Trailer parks are the pits! My son moved in with me this past September and we are really cramped for space. Please say a prayer that I will be able to find something for the both of us at a VERY reasonable rental price. Thanks for this great post. Love your enthusiam(sp).

My daughter deals with anxiety brought on mostly by her mind working overtime in anticipation on what ‘might’ happen! It really stops her from doing a lot of things. We have been to doctors but counseling has worked the best. Your table story was meant to be. It turned out so stunning and perfect for the space.Terry recently posted…Then & Now Part I

I love this desk….how lucky were you to find it. They seem to be hard to find these days…..just have to be patient! Office looks awesome with the desk!
Kellykelly arent {copper roof interiors LLC} recently posted…Keeping it real…

I love your desk!
I had also been thinking about you because you hadn’ posted for awhile. But in the mist of all your going through look what you manage to accomplish! Congratulations! And I wish I could blog and touch people the way you do. It is brave to put yourself out there like that. You have accomplished so much in spite of your panic attacks that many of us wish we could have 1/10 of your bravery and talent! You have reached our hearts because of your honesty and talent. There are very few bloggers that have have touched me with their writing and inspiration as you have.

Love what you did with your desk. What you did actually just helped me make a decision about my own office–thanks.
If this were my room (because you were asking….) I just might take the long table that is between the two windows and move it centered in front of the side window (the one that seems to have a transom). Then I would move the bookshelf to in between the windows and paint the bookshelf a bright turquoise or red (pulling colors from the room). Whatever color you paint the bookshelf, maybe just add a few more accent pieces of the same color and you are good to go! Photo shoot time:-)
Have fun with whatever you do.
Fondly-Lisalisa recently posted…Piano Lessons

Claire, you seriously do such amazing work with some paint girl! I love this beautiful desk! It’s so feminine and just gorgeous!Chelsea @ Making Home Base recently posted…Chalkboard Birthday Invitation

What a lucky find. I love the curvy legs. You did an awesome job on it. I’d love it if you would share this at “What We Accomplished Wednesday,” at Green Willow Pond. It is live right now. Have a great week!

Hi Claire! I love, love, love your pieces. I have a question on this desk specifically as it is my inspiration for a dresser I am working on. What made you chose to only do the every top stained? I have don the same and wondering if maybe I should go ahead and do the rest of the lip (two layers just as this desk). When I look at this desk I love it! Then I see a piece that the entire top is stained and I love that too… Maybe you can help clear up your thought process. I can send photos if needed.
Thanks,
Sheila

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[…] LOVE to have a new desk in my room. Though that may not happen, how cute is this desk found at Rustic Pig Designs? I’ve been searching for a similar one. She redid it so it looked like the first […]

About Me

My name is Claire and I am behind the blog... The Rustic Pig. I am a wife, a mother to 2 boys, and I just might be addicted to Craigslist. I love to buy antiques, paint them, and give them a chance to be loved again! Please feel free to pull up a chair and stay for a while. If you ask a question or leave a comment, I will be sure to get back to you as soon as possible!